The diagnosis of Autism has risen sharply over the last decade. WHYY's Health and Science desk reports on the latest research, studies, and resources for families affected by this developmental disorder.

Autism conference targets Latino community
Maiken Scott – October 7, 2010
A conference at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children reached out to Hispanic families affected by autism.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for Autism?
Maiken Scott – September 22, 2010
The diagnosis of Autism has been rising at a rapid pace over the past decade. The process of finding answers and treatments has moved much more slowly. Families affected by autism often turn to unproven, alternative treatments that offer hope. Maiken Scott reports on one increasingly popular option – hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

More research finds no link between autism and preservative in vaccines
Maiken Scott – September 17, 2010
Another big study found no link between a mercury-based preservatives in vaccines and autism – but experts say this issue still won't go away any time soon.

Documentary explores challenges of living with mental illness
Maiken Scott – July 15th, 2010
Many blockbuster movies have illustrated what it's like to live with a mental illness – "The Soloist", "A Beautiful Mind", or "As Good As It Gets" to name just a few. A documentary film produced in Philadelphia not only shows what it's like – it was actually made by a man living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Aspergers Syndrome.

Camp pairs children with Autism with typical peers
Maiken Scott – July 9th, 2010
The long hot days of summer can pose challenges for families of special needs children. Parents have to find activities or camps where their child feels safe, welcome, and continues to learn. A new camp at Saint Joseph's University is trying a unique approach. It's especially designed to accommodate children with autism and pairs them with their typical peers.

Taking the fear out of doctors’ visits
Maiken Scott – July 2th, 2010
Nobody looks forward to a dentist's drill or giving a blood sample. But for people with special needs, these routine visits can be a cause for special terror. Often people with intellectual disabilities or autism get sedated or restrained so that they'll stay still for a medical test. One Delaware mother came up with a better way.

Scientists find more genetic clues related to Autism
Maiken Scott – June 8th, 2010
Researchers say they are inching closer to solving the autism puzzle. An international team of scientists has discovered more genetic clues
to this developmental disorder.

Research questions diet in treating autism
Kerry Grens – May 20th, 2010
Autism researchers from around the globe are in Philadelphia this week to share their latest results on causes, prevention and treatments.

Lessons in getting along
Taunya English – May 4th, 2010
Lots of teens stumble while trying to strike that balance between fitting in and being yourself. Add in the difficulties of autism, and it’s that much harder.

Support for adults with autism in Delaware
Maiken Scott -April 30th, 2010
Diagnoses of autism have risen sharply over the last decade. Many of the autism resources are aimed at young children and intervention. As young adults with autism finish school, their families often find that their options are limited. A successful initiative in Delaware is trying to change that. Maiken Scott reports on First.

Autism Conference focuses on families
Maiken Scott -April 29th, 2010
When a child has Autism, the whole family is affected. A conference at La Salle University tomorrow addresses this developmental disorder with resources and advice for families.

Local families produce short films about living with autism
Maiken Scott -April 23rd, 2010
Three families from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware documented what has helped them overcome adversity in short video projects.

Autism through the lifespan #9- Life After Autism
Erika Beras -March 15th, 2010
Researchers say the best autism research is conducted after someone dies. That requires donating the brain. In our final segment of our series Autism through the Lifespan, Erika Beras reports on The Autism Tissue Program.

Autism through the lifespan #8 – Research
Erika Beras -March 15th, 2010
Autism has no known cause and no cure. What we know about it comes from research, and Pittsburgh is a national hub for autism research.

Autism through the lifespan #7- Adulthood
Erika Beras -March 14th, 2010
As part of our continuing series on autism, Erika Beras reports on the challenges and triumphs of adulthood with autism.

Autism through the lifespan #6: Early Adulthood
Erika Beras -March 14th, 2010
For most, early adulthood is full of new found independence. Going to college, getting a job, moving from home and possibly starting one’s own family are among early adulthood’s rites of passage. But a wave of autistic adolescents are becoming adults and will most likely struggle with all of those things.

Autism through the lifespan #5: Caregiving
Erika Beras -March 13th, 2010
Autism is characterized by deficits in communication and social skills and rigid, repetitive behaviors. Many with the condition require care from the cradle to the grave.

Autism through the lifespan #4: The Teen Years
Erika Beras -March 13th, 2010
Adolescence is a time full of changes. Often emotional, it poses challenges for all teenagers. Those with autism have the same issues as a typical teen – and then some. In the fourth segment in our series Autism through the lifespan, Erika Beras, behavioral health reporter at WDUQ in Pittsburgh, reports on autism's impact on the teen years.

Investigation of autism researcher's conduct sparks controversy
Maiken Scott -March 12th, 2010
News that a prominent autism researcher is suspected of embezzling funds is providing fodder for the long-standing controversy over autism and vaccines.

Autism through the lifespan #3: Education
Erika Beras -March 12th, 2010
Much of childhood is spent in school. But for children with autism, school isn’t just school. Erika Beras behavioral health reporter at WDUQ in Pittsburgh, reports on special education.

Autism through the lifespan #2: Childhood
Erika Beras -March 11th, 2010
In the second part of our series Autism through the Lifespan, we look at early childhood with an autism spectrum disorder.

Autism through the lifespan #1: Diagnosis Autism
Erika Beras -March 11th, 2010
Getting a diagnosis is often a life-altering event.

Supporting autistic adults
Maiken Scott -February 5th, 2010
The diagnosis of autism has risen sharply over the last decade. But many families discover as kids get older, resources dwindle. Maiken Scott from WHYY's Behavioral Health Desk profiles one organization that's helping adults with autism. (when video begins on the TV broadcast FIRST select chapter "2")

Brain imaging may help in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders
Maiken Scott – Jan 12, 2010
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) process sound and language a fraction of a second slower than children without ASDs, and measuring magnetic signals that mark this delay may become a standardized way to diagnose autism. Researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia report their findings in an online article in the journal Autism Research.

Serving adults with autism
Maiken Scott – November 16th, 2009
The diagnosis of autism has risen dramatically in recent years. That has left many communities scrambling to figure out what services people with autism need – not just in childhood but later in life. At a recent conference at Drexel University, adults with autism, parents, and service providers tried to come up with solutions.

Parents in the autism community worry about H1N1 vaccine
Maiken Scott – November 5th, 2009
Many parents in the region keep calling their pediatricians to see if the the H1N1 vaccine has arrived. But others don't want their kids to get the shot at all – even when it's available. Public Health officials in Delaware report low participation during the first week of school vaccinations – especially in one school that serves students with autism.

New autism prevalence numbers raise questions
Maiken Scott – October 8th, 2009
Government funded studies now state the prevalence of autism at one in 100 – up from the previous estimate of one in 150. But scientists urge caution in interpreting these numbers.

NJ taking new steps to deal with Autism
Phil Gregory – August 14th, 2009
New Jersey has the highest autism rate in the country. And now, the Garden State is taking new steps to deal with the disorder. Health insurers in New Jersey must now provide coverage to screen for autism and other developmental disabilities.

Autism Advocates applaud new NJ legislation – but see shortcomings
Maiken Scott – August 14th, 2009
Advocacy groups in New Jersey applaud new legislation that mandates insurance companies to cover treatments for people with autism, but say the coverage still doesn't go far enough.

Autism Research: Causes and Treatment
Maiken Scott – July 22nd, 2009

Autism: funding and awareness
Maiken Scott – July 21st, 2009

WEB CHAT: Autism radio series
Maiken Scott – July 20th, 2009
Maiken Scott takes a look at the latest developments in the field of autism in a two-part radio series.

NJ Autism bill puts pressure on health insurers
Phil Gregory – May 19th, 2009

Can children "recover" from autism?
Maiken Scott – May 12th, 2009

The genetics of autism
Maiken Scott – April 28th, 2009

New autism efforts in Pennsylvania
Maiken Scott -April 25th, 2009

Autism advocates rally for insurance help
Maiken Scott – June 25th, 2008

More than the Terrible 2s
Maiken Scott – December 17th, 2008

Clues to autism language troubles
Taunya English – December 5th, 2008

Autism advocates react to legislative victory
Maiken Scott – July 3rd, 2008